Entry Requirement

Falcon does not issue formal entry requirements, these guidelines are designed to help you gauge qualification to start with to complete the program. Your study center will provide guidance and help you assess this. The center will recommend the best level for you to start and will ensure that you have a reasonable expectation of completing the program and moving on to the next level.

Level 2 & Level 3

For level 3 we recommend that you have completed formal school education and hold qualifications at Level 2. A reasonable standard of English will be needed.

English Language Proficiency (for non-native English speakers) at Levels 2 & 3

To be successful you must have appropriate English Language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). Recommends the following standards be met:

IELTS – 5.5
Cambridge ESOL – Preliminary PET or BEC
Pearson Test of English (PTE) – 36 – 41
Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) – B2

If you do not hold an English qualification, your study center can use other English language tests as a measure of your English skills, but it must be satisfied that the score is equivalent to those recommended above.

Level 4

This level is at the equivalent of year one of a bachelor’s degree. Your center will look at your previous experience and qualifications to ensure you have a reasonable expectation of success.

English Language Proficiency (for non-native English speakers) at Level 4:

To be successful you must have appropriate English Language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). ABE recommends the following standards be met:

IELTS – 5.5
Cambridge ESOL – Cambridge English First
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) – 51
Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) – B2

If you do not hold an English qualification your study centre can use other English language tests as a measure of your English skills, but it must be satisfied that the score is equivalent to those recommended above.

Level 5

This level is the equivalent of the second year of a bachelor’s degree. To start at this level your centre will look at your previous experience and qualifications to ensure you have a reasonable expectation of success

English Language Proficiency (for non-native English speakers) at Level 5:

To be successful you must have appropriate English Language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). ABE recommends the following standards be met:

IELTS – 6
Cambridge ESOL – Cambridge English Advanced (point score 169 or above)
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) – 56
Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) – B2

BA (Hons) Business Administration (top-up) from the University of Hertfordshire

If your ultimate dream is to get a degree, you can go all the way with Falcon. We have an exclusive partnership with the University of Hertfordshire (UH), the UK’s leading business-facing university and an exemplar in the sector so that on completion of a Level 5 you can progress straight onto the UH BA (Hons) Business Administration (top-up).

This is an online program, delivered and awarded by UH and facilitated through Falcon and ABE-accredited centres. It provides a fast and affordable direct route to a degree course from a leading UK university. Plus, the course is designed to provide flexibility that allows you to fit study around work and other commitments. This offer is exclusively for ABE learners and there are typically three steps:

Step 1: Level 4 120 credit diploma

Transition onto

Step 2: Level 5 120 credit diploma

Transition onto

Step 3: BA (Hons) Business Administration (top-up) (online)

from the University of Hertfordshire

See our fantastic diploma options – they are renowned for developing superb business skills:

Business Management
Business Management and Human Resources
Business Management and Marketing

The UH course

The course offers a strong understanding of business and the disciplines which underpin it.

How will I study?

Online distance learning gives you the flexibility of when and where to study. However, interacting with other students and tutors is still important, so this flexibility is combined with online discussions, podcasts and synchronized sessions, where possible. To keep you on track, assessments are also scheduled at specific times.

Course length

Part-time, three consecutive semesters (12 months).

Modules (15 credits per module)

Business Strategy
Contemporary Issues in Business and Management
International Human Resource Management
Leadership and Organisations
Business and Commercial Awareness
Global Marketing, Ethics, and Culture
Issues in the Global Economy
Digital Economy

Entry requirements

To be eligible to enroll on the Top-up, you typically need to have successfully achieved an L5 – 120 credit diploma from the current (RQF) syllabus. You will also need evidence of the necessary English language capability. More detailed information about different entry qualification scenarios can be read here in our brochure.

You can see a list of local language qualifications by country here. If your country is not on this list you will need one of the qualifications below.

GCSE English language grade A-C
IELTS 6.0 (with no less than 5.5 in any band)
Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) score of 169 (with no less than 162 in any band) . C2 Proficiency (CPE) score of 180 (with no less than 162 in any band).
Pearson Test of English (PTE) 51 (with no less than 42 in any band).
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 72 with band scores of reading 18, writing 17, listening 17, speaking 20.
Language Cert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) Listening: 33/50; Reading: 33/50: Writing: 33/50; Speaking: 33/50